The COVID-19 epidemic fundamentally altered society and the way healthcare is provided. Health care professionals are still tackling some of the industry's most difficult problems more than three years after the pandemic began. Now, health care leaders must adopt fresh approaches to quickly spur recovery in a swiftly changing environment.
Hospital and health systems are altering strategic priorities and processes in order to operate in a new normal. According to author, consultant, and futurist Ian Morrison, PhD, today’s leaders must learn from the past few years to effectively and successfully forge ahead.
In order to advance in the post-pandemic world, several critical trends must be taken into consideration in order to ensure that hospital and health system leaders appropriately assess the field.
The New Realities
Workforce and Staffing Trends
COVID-19 contributed to the highest rates of frontline workforce burnout in a decade. The "Great Resignation" that followed was brought on by employees quitting their jobs after bearing the tremendous mental and physical toll of the public health crisis. Efforts to improve recruitment and retention, reduce burnout, and use technology to improve productivity should all be hospital and health system 2023 priorities.
Consumerism and the Patient Experience
Hospitals and health systems must adapt to compete with new participants in the market and meet changing consumer needs as patient expectations and demographics change. Trends such as telehealth, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, social media, and other digital tools will continue to attract patients. Overall, and emphasis on convenience is here to stay.
Creating a Culture of Trust
Success depends on fostering a culture of trust and developing connections between patients and healthcare professionals as well as between physicians and the organizations where they work.
Health Equity
Health care institutions have long prioritized health equity in underprivileged and marginalized groups. The pandemic brought additional attention to the problems of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Social determinants of health have a significant impact on the wellbeing of many communities. In the upcoming years, this involvement will need to be increased in order to address health inequities and improve possibilities for inclusion and access to care throughout the communities served.
Being Ready for the Next Public Health Emergency
Preparation is one of the most important lessons gained from the pandemic. Hospital and health system leaders must to stay ahead of the next public health emergency by continuing to prepare for demand spikes to ensure enough medical supplies and manpower are available during times of crisis.